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While technically not part of the series, The Lord of the Rings is considered to be the sequel to The Hobbit. You could say The Hobbit was a "prequel", except prequels are general considered to tell the beginning of a story *after* the main story is already established.

Season: 3Episode: 9

April 14, 2011

At April and Andy's dinner party, Tom asks Ben if he's planning to go on a year long walking tour of 'The Lord of the Rings' in New Zealand. Ben replies that he didn't much care for Peter Jackson's interpretation of the books.

Season: 2Episode: 2

October 5, 2011

Max, working at Dave's food truck, insults a customer who is trying to order a vegan sandwich. Max tries to convince him to get a steak sandwich instead, but the customer says he wants the vegan food, not the meat. Max asks if he's ever heard the saying "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service" saying that since he is wearing flip-flops, those don't count as shoes so he cannot have any service. When the customer leaves, Max further insults him by shouting "Good luck with that ring, Frodo Baggins!".

Season: 6Episode: 5

September 20, 2010

Doug, afraid that he is about to be killed by Cesar and Ignacio, says that God doesn't want him to die. He confesses that he tried to read The Bible, but never finished because "it felt like a much less awesome version of 'Lord of the Rings'.".

Season: 4Episode: 7

June 17, 2016

Nicky tells Big Boo about her time spent at Max, mopping the floors of the SHU, "down in the pits of Mordor". Boo tells Nicky, "Well, you're back in the Shire now. Too bad your main Hobbit is off the market.".

Season: 2Episode: 9

Season: 3Episode: 12

January 15, 2013

Virginia returns her engagement ring to the pawn shop so she can reclaim the items she brought in earlier in order to get the ring out. The Pawn shop lady tells Virginia, "You lose this ring more often than Bilbo Baggins.".

Season: 6Episode: 16

Season: 6Episode: 16

April 5, 2012

Jack tells Pete to shave his head, getting rid of what little hair he has left. Jack tells Pete, "Your life is tied to the fate of that ring. It must be destroyed.". When Pete asks if Jack is quoting 'The Lord of the Rings' Jack tells him no.

Season: 1Episode: 1

September 20, 2011

Jess' new roommates want to get her out of her funk after her breakup with her boyfriend. Schmidt suggests that Jess come out with them to the bar, telling her that he will be her guide to the dating scene. Jess asks if he will be like Gandalf, guiding her through Middle Earth.